Thai beauty pageant’s 900% rally defies warning, beats Miss UniverseExecutives of Miss Grand International Plc poses for photos on the first day of trading on Dec 14, 2023. (Photo: @SET_Thailand_EN X account)A gravity-defying rally in Thailand’s beauty-pageant organiser Miss Grand International Plc (MGI) is finally seen petering out on concerns that the valuation has become overstretched. It’s now trading at 65 times 12-month trailing earnings, compared with about 17 for the benchmark SET Index, according to Bloomberg calculations. “Excessive valuation and regulatory risk from the exchange’s tight control will make most investors cautious about the stock,” he said. MGI started beauty pageants about a decade ago, and has used events and contestants to promote and advertise products to build awareness and sales.

The Thai export sector has lost competitiveness in global markets, with the market share of rice shipments falling by more than 50% over the past 20 years, according to the Bank of Thailand (BoT). Long-standing structural impediments in the export and manufacturing sectors are having a more discernible impact on the Thai economy, said the central bank. Thailand's electronics export growth averaged only 4% over the past decade, well below its regional peers such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia, which posted export growth of 37%, 14% and 10%, respectively. In addition, the MPC said the current loan-to-value (LTV) measures remain appropriate. Some property developers recently asked the Finance Ministry to loosen the LTV measures to increase activity in the sector.

Many cops in serious debtNational police chief Pol Gen Torsak SukvimolMany police have fallen into debt totalling some 300 billion baht and most are on the verge of bankruptcy, said national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol. In "opening up" to the committee, Pol Gen Torsak said many officers were in bad shape financially, having accrued some 300 billion baht in debt, and are in danger of being declared bankrupt. If their living conditions improve, they will feel more motivated to serve and protect the people," said Pol Gen Torsak. If there is something suspicious, I will not sign it," said Pol Gen Torsak. Also, Pol Gen Torsak told the media that he has various units seeking ways to resolve the shortage of police investigators.

Th weather office announced the start of summer on Wednesday, with a forecast for temperatures to rise to a blistering 45°C. (Bangkok Post)The Meteorological Department has announced the start of summer, with temperatures expected to peak at a blistering 45°C over the next few months in some areas. Meanwhile, people gathered to enjoy a late frost at the top of Thailand's highest mountain, in Chiang Mai, on Thursday morning. In lowland areas of Chiang Mai province, temperatures were 14-16°C. Frost coats leaves at the top of Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai province on Thursday morning, as the Meteorogical Department announced the start of a hot, dry summer.

Standing in the middle of a lush lawn, a monument of King Vajiravudh greets visitors to"101 Years Of Phya Thai Palace: The Glory Of Siam", which runs until March 16. It is a collaboration by Ama Studio, DecideKit, Na Satta, Fos Lighting Design and LightSource to bring the palace back to life as a night museum, creating immersive visual experiences through cutting-edge multimedia presentations.

The US naval supply ship Ocean Valor takes part in a mission to salvage HTMS Sukhothai in the Gulf of Thailand off Prachuap Khiri Khan province on Thursday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Thai and US navies on Thursday started the salvage of the corvette HTMS Sukhothai in the Gulf of Thailand off Prachuap Khiri Khan. Thirty-five Thai naval divers and 14 American naval divers will be diving together to the wreck over the course of a 19-day mission, said Adm Adung Phan-iam Navy, the Royal Thai Navy commander-in-chief. HTMS Sukhothai sank about 35 kilometres off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan on Dec 18, 2022, after being caught in a storm. Last month the US warned the Royal Thai Navy about the reported involvement of a Chinese company in a plan to salvage the vessel, which was built in the US in 1987.

(Photo: Samdech Hun Sen of Cambodia Facebook)Cambodia's Supreme Privy Council President Hun Sen visited his long-time friend Thaksin Shinawatra at the former prime minister's Bangkok residence on Wednesday morning, amid tight security. Hun Sen arrived at Don Mueang airport on Wednesday morning and then travelled in a Mercedes Benz to see Thaksin at his Ban Chan Song La residence in Bang Phlat district. Hun Sen thanked Thaksin and Ms Paetongtarn for their warm welcome and invited Ms Paetongtarn to visit Cambodia on March 14-15. Thaksin, 74, and Hun Sen, 71, developed a strong friendship during their many years in power. Cambodian strongman reportedly decided to visit Thaksin at his home out of a personal concern for his health.

Central bank says ringgit decline does not reflect improving prospects for economyThe last time the Malaysian ringgit fell below 4.8 to the US dollar was in 1998 during the Asian financial crisis. (Photo: Reuters)The Malaysian ringgit continues to trade near its lowest level since the 1998 Asian financial crisis, prompting the central bank to say it does not reflect the improving outlook for the economy. The currency edged up 0.1% on Wednesdsay morning, after slipping past 4.8 against the US dollar on Tuesday, its weakest level since reaching an all-time low of 4.885 in 1998. Other emerging Asian currencies strengthened marginally, with the Thai baht holding steady around 35.84 to the dollar in offshore trade. The weakness in the ringgit has defied steadiness in oil prices — a Malaysian export — and prospects of a recovery in electronics exports.

Thaksin has long been seen as the de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, now led by his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Prime Minister Srettha faces challenges due to his newcomer status, having entered the political arena less than six months before assuming premiership. Some analysts anticipate a potential shift in power from Mr Srettha to Thaksin, resulting in a so-called double prime minister phenomenon. If the former prime minister would like to make suggestions, there's no one in the government who wouldn't want to hear it." However, Mr Yutthaporn believes there is no need for a change in leadership and Mr Srettha is likely to remain.

Move Forward questions justice of Thaksin's return homeThe Move Forward Party (MFP) on Sunday took to social media to say that regarding Thaksin Shinawatra's illness and parole, many people questioned if the law was enforced with fairness and without discrimination. The main opposition party posted the question on Facebook after former prime minister Thaksin was discharged from Police General Hospital early on Sunday morning. The MFP wrote that many people were dubious about whether any special treatment might be evident in the enforcement of Thai law after Thaksin was allowed to stay at the hospital for 180 days without clarification on his illness and was later paroled. Although the government answered questions on Thaksin's health and the criteria for his parole, it could not stop society from posing questions about fair law enforcement and treatment in comparison with the cases of other inmates and political prisoners. Thai society must be free of double standards, the MFP wrote.

Mystique fadingRe: "Has Pakistan's military finally lost its mystique?" Mihir Sharma is correct in his analysis of the Pakistan elections held on Feb 8. Any country where the military and judiciary can oust elected politicians and exile them without due process is bound to deteriorate. Historically, in this region, family dynasties and the elite have exploited their cordial relations with the military for personal gains. The Election Commission, judiciary, military, crony elites, and corrupt politicians have contributed to the current crisis in Pakistan.

After 15 years, Thaksin returns homeThailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra sits next to his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra as they leave Police General Hospital after being granted parole, in Bangkok on Sunday. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra left Police General Hospital and returned to his residence on Charan Sanitwong 69 Road in Bang Phlat district after more than 15 years of absence as he was paroled on Sunday. Thaksin, 74, was discharged from Police General Hospital early Sunday morning. In another case, the Supreme Court found Thaksin had illegally launched a two- and three-digit lottery between 2003 and 2006. In the other case Thaksin was convicted of malfeasance and conflict of interest for illegally holding shares through proxies in the state's phone concessionaires.

A search is under way for the captain of a longtail tour boat, Apichart Kobtaisong, who fell into the water off the coast of Krabi on Friday night. (Screen capture)A search has been launched after the captain of a longtail tour boat went overboard off the coast of Krabi on Friday night. He was knocked off his boat after it collided with another vessel in the vicinity of Koh Kai. Apichart’s boat was leading the second vessel owned by Guitar Roong Tawan 08 Company before the incident occurred. Yuthapong Damsrisuk, the national park chief, acknowledged the possibility that the boat captain could have perished and been washed out of the initial search zone.

Polls no panaceaRe: "The perils of too much democracy", (Editorial, Feb 10). Regular elections are not the panacea, as demonstrated by many Asian countries, including Thailand. In Pakistan's elections, the strategic use of social media and AI-generated gatherings gave the imprisoned Imran Khan significant advantages. Similarly, the MFP in Thailand exploited social media to win the elections by a landslide. Too much of anything is bad for any society, whether it be religion, blind faith, freedom, authoritarianism, communism, social media, or democracy.

Only local police officers will be used to maintain peace and order at the site, Pol Gen Surachate said on Saturday. He was commenting on an anticipated demonstration by protesters who have condemned what they see as special treatment given to the convicted former prime minister by justice authorities. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed on Saturday that Thaksin would be released on Sunday but did not specify a time. Mr Pichit’s protest group is reportedly seeking to gather 20,000 signatures to petition parliament to look into Thaksin’s medical treatment and the performance of Police General Hospital administrators. “But I explained earlier that various agencies had investigated the hospital’s medical team and they confirmed the team performed its duties honestly and with transparency.”